Recently we went to Elbasan with our Young Single Adults--- We had been working on this for months to find a way and budget to get a few cities together to meet and enjoy each others company. The coordination of it all took many hours of diligently coordinating and pushing our leaders to allow this to happen. Once approved, it involved food, activities and an appropriate sleepover. We were dealing with Adult members and quite frankly I didn't really know what to expect. We were getting transportation between Korce , Maliq, Pogradec and Elbasan --It was difficult. We had to change many dates because of people working, or other mission assignments, baptisms that were going on in different cities and the Elbasan Church was getting painted and the lawn was getting sprayed for insects.
Everyday I would get a new call that would put a halt to our plans--even up to the night before I was working with changing problems. Moreover, we had two baptisms that we were involved with the Friday morning before we left in Ohrid Macedonia and the Saturday night in Pogradec when we would return. It just seemed like it would be impossible.
However, Lorin and I just felt strongly that our Young Single Adult could do this. If they took charge and helped out with the coordination it would work. Prays were certainly said and answered. Truly everything except an air conditioning problem in the activity room of the church and a fergon (bus) small problem getting our people home everything went according to plan.
It went well because of the Beautiful Young Single Adults of Pogradec, Korce, Maliq, and Elbasan! It was because everyone was agreeable, gentle and kind with one another! No one was uncontrollable or unruly, angry or upsetting. It was hot that day and night and it didn't matter. They slept on the floor, or on couches or on couch pillows--the didn't put up a fuss. OH HOW I LOVE THESE PEOPLE!
I have new hope for the church in Albania (Shqiperia) because our lovely Pogradec and Elbasan , and Korce Young Single adults! They were very accommodating and even when everything was new and different to them, they adapted and involved themselves. When there was an issue with an all night party that we were not going to allow--they responded agreeably and didn't create any contention at all!
I was so very impressed! Our cute Rea was once again helpful with the language and made friends. Greta danced and enjoyed herself. Our Elbasan Young Singles went out of their way to help organize, clean up, escort us back and forth to the teaching center and church house. All I saw were agreeable Young Single Adults. Our elders also helped out to get pizzas ordered and to check up on us to see if we needed help.
Let me add more to this.......
Our Youth in Pogradec are also impressive to me! They come to church to pass the Sacrament in White shirts reflexing respect for the Priestood they have and the sacred sacrament ordinance they will perform. They have been to members for just a few months and they will give talks and testimonies at church.....and let me just say.... they are impressive talks!
Yes in Pogradec, we have some reverence issues and they need to come to church on time and to not talk while in church and let others give their speech with reverence and respect for others, but they are such capable and forgivable people. They are learning at a phenomenal speed for new members. I want to protect them from the outside influences like not observing the Sabath day, or video game or Facebook addictions, smoking, drinking or the plethora of outside temptations that are theirs daily. I have to keep reminding myself that they do not have family or cousins that reinforce going to church, service, sacrifice, tithing blessing, and getting ready for temple attendance. They come because they made baptismal covenants to be at church to participate and to learn more.
HOW CAN YOU NOT LOVE, APPRECIATE AND BE IMPRESSED WITH OUR YOUTH!
One last note: there was a fire that broke out next to our church on the hill. We were just about to eat our pizza, fruit and drinks.... Those young adults could see the fire was getting out of control. They all got together to bless the food and more than one stated.... We need to pray for that fire to be quickly contained....without hesitation or even a second thought.... they prayed immediately to stop the fire from moving. After the prayer a fire truck swiftly swooped down the street and the fire was contained. No one seemed to have another thought about it. But I did... Their prayers were immediately answered and BRAVO for them to even know that they could pray over a fire breakout and that it would expedite the control of the elements or people who could extinguish it.
These youth have learned FAITH in the POWER OF PRAYER!
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